USS Arizona - More Than a Tragedy

From her construction during World War I to her tragic destruction during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, USS Arizona is a symbol of sacrifice and resilience. But while widely known for her catastrophic demise, Arizona served the United States Navy valiantly for more than 2 decades, and while no telling of Arizona's story would ever be complete without the tale of her tragic downfall, I seek to show that there's much more to her story than that infamous day in December of 1941.

**This video is dedicated to the men of USS Arizona who served and suffered on that Sunday morning in December 1941**

Sources/Credits (photos):
Navsource, Naval History & Heritage Command, U.S. Naval Institute

Film Credit: US National Archives

#unitedstatesnavy #usnavy #worldwar2 #ww2 #pacificwar #pacifictheater #military #history #navalhistory #usa #destroyer #worldofwarships #worldofwarshipslegends #battleship

[flkoolguy]

As Always, this video is amazing. What I truly love is that you present just the facts. No fluff, no opinions. Your videos honor the ships and the men who served on them. Thank you.

[phillipgodwin]

In the summer of 1962, I was an army private on the USS Mitchell, on my way to Korea. I was honored to stand with nearly every soldier and sailor on board as we rendered honors as we passed Arizona!
Thank you ( not a dry eye on deck)

[enscroggs]

This is the best documentary about any ship serving in Pearl Harbor on 12-07-1941 I've ever seen. Congratulations on this achievement.

[LadyPearl]

I really appreciate this! Arizona is remembered (and honestly so) for her tragic end, but her two decades of service are worthy of discussion as well. So thank you for this!

[jamesnelson]

What a beautiful testimonial to this ship, her crew, history and demise. Thank you for an excellent video.

[julieputney]

She was a beautiful ship. Thank you, Valour Vault 🇺🇲

[markweinberger]

Visited the USS Arizona in May 1965 while en route aboard the USS Pickaway (APA-222) with RLT-7 to Vietnam. A sobering experience as we read the names on the interior wall and watched the oil seeping from below. We were both sad & angry.

[ronjones]

I’ve been to this memorial and will always remember it. My father served on the Vestal later in the war and on several others including Destroyer Escorts as a Signalman and helmsman

[Nerval-kgsm]

My great uncle was onshore during the attack. When it was over, he was sent on a rowboat into the harbor to fish survivors out of the water. It turns out his boat became surrounded by countless corpses, and he found no survivors. If you've seen that awful Pearl Harbor movie with Ben Affleck, there's a dramatic aerial shot of this experience based on his account.

[redtomcat]

BB39 has always been in my heart since I was old enough to learn and understand! Well done!

[jeffreyrutledge]

I learned a lot from this video. Thank You for helping to keep This Date in focus!

[Happy]

I had the honor to visit the Arizona memorial, along with the USS Missouri in pearl Harbor!It was the MOST MEMORABLE experience in my life! One could actually feel the presence of the Brave Americans that perished that Day. One I hope that WE WILL NEVER FORGET. May GOD PROTECT ALL OUR BRAVE MILITARY!

[shengyi]

The late Gloria Stuart who played Old Rose in the 1997 Titanic movies also acted in an old movie shot on the USS Arizona - Here Comes the Navy 1934. So she links these two tragic ships together

[anthonybrown]

The USS Arizona along with the sunken USS Oklahoma are currently under construction as the first Block V (5) Virginia class submarines. Also a fun fact, every B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber is named after a state. AV-2 is the Spirit of Arizona and the AV-18 is the Spirit of Oklahoma

[CrowDawg]

I've been all over the world, and I have *never* been to a more powerful place than aboard the Arizona Memorial.

[johndow]

In the early 70's, I served with Franklin Van Valkenburg in the US Army Combat Surveillance Electronic Warfare School. He was the son of the last Captain of the Arizona.

[stevenr]

As a boy scout in 1970. I saw the cement and metal cogs at Mokapu point used for the Arizona turret. 👍🏻

[TeufelHunden-od]

My two 2nd cousins are still aboard, they were the O'Bryan's, Joseph B. and George D.

[mrjon]

Great photos of the old girl in her younger days.

[ebw_servant_of_GOD]

On my first Sea and Anchor detail in the Pacific (that's when a ship enters a port) into Pearl Harbor, it was Dec. 7, 84 I was standing Starboard Lookout marking Navigation points and small craft etc... just before got to the harbor entrance it was probably 1000. yard, I smelt burning oil, and the faint sound of plaint .... just for a few moments then it was gone.... It took me a few minutes because I was marking contacts and Navigation points...then I looked at my watch and realized a few minutes had passed and it was 0805 or so (memory) but when I had the feeling it was just before 0800.

The dozens of times I entered Pearl after that we never entered that early or on Dec. 7

Now I'm not asking anyone to believe me, but that was what occurred. I was interesting.

EBW USN Ret.
SERVANT. OF GOD